When I left my job in February to focus on trying for a baby, I was full of hope. This was going to be the year Id get pregnant. Instead, Im in limbo, the possibility of becoming a mother seeming further and further away.

My husband Matthew and I have always wanted a family. Weve been together for 11 years, but because wed been teaching abroad, we waited until we moved back to the UK to start trying. In 2017, when we were settled in North Yorkshire and both in our mid-30s, I came off the Pill, but after six months nothing was happening.

My GP told me to enjoy trying to conceive and that everything was fine. But by January 2019 we were worried so had our first IVF consultation. The consultant said my FSH [follicle-stimulating hormone] results were concerning, as were the results of my AMH [anti-Mllerian hormone] test, which confirmed that I didnt have many eggs left. It was the first time we were told there was a problem. I cried all the way home.

We started IVF last May, but my body didnt create enough follicles [ovarian sacs that release eggs for fertilisation] to proceed to the egg-collection phase, so we cancelled the cycle and began again in October. It was a difficult time. The doctors upped my medication and the combination of the hormones and the desire for it to be a success made me anxious. Teaching had been my life, but suddenly it felt like it was getting in the way.

Four eggs were collected, and grew into two embryos. But by the time I was due to have them transferred into my uterus, the embryologist called with awful news: they had stopped growing. I couldnt speak, I just started crying. Matthew and I spent the rest of the day in tears that was our one free NHS cycle.

We looked for a private clinic we could afford, opting for Serum IVF in Athens, which suggested we do two lightly stimulated cycles. The cost, including flights and hotel, came to 6,000, compared to 8,000 back home for just one cycle. On 2 March, we flew to Athens. At the clinic, the doctors spotted a huge polyp in my uterus, so after my egg collection, I had it removed. I later found out that theyd only collected one egg but it was a good one.

After we returned home, we found out that our embryo had developed into a blastocyst, a more advanced embryo of very good quality. It was frozen for use at a later date. I felt calm and positive, and despite coronavirus emerging in Europe, we still thought wed be able to return for our second cycle.

But a few days later the clinic told us it was following strict new guidelines not to proceed with any transfers until further notice. I was in total despair. After two and a half years of trying and getting so close, it had all been taken away. It felt so cruel.

Read more here:
My chances of having a baby are fading away due to coronavirus - Telegraph.co.uk

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